Paris in the Mirror

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1932, Page 19

Paris in the Mirror

Written for "The Pert" by Dermalne.

PARIS, 20th June. After trying (and failing) for years to fit their faces to their hats, women are now fitting their hats to their faces. This means that from now onwards they have the permission of their own sex—they havo always had men s—to be individual in their choice of hats and to frame their faces in a setting that enhances, instead of murdering, their charms. ■■;■' So women have settled down again after the wildly Victorian extremes we used to see some time ago. Eve can now obtain hats to suit her very modern face without the uncomfortable sensation that she has strolled out wearing a perilous bit of fancy-dress head-gear by mistake. Changing colours m the way of headgear should be every woman's tonic. A deviation from a long-accustomed shape can also create that feeling of difference which is at times advantageous. Sometimes a new [colour works wonders with a face always accustomed to a black frame Women with definite and indefinite colouring can touch nearly every colour they like, if they know how. to strike the right shade. The. right shade and the right angle can turn an ordinary straw into a "happy hat" any day. An unusual hat which is on the crest of the wav« is-achieved by means of a large brim giving a double hat,effect. It is usually carried out in;woven horsehair and is so extremely transparent

that it appears -like a separate hat through which one of the ordinary tight-fitting caps is seen. ECONOMY AND "CHIC" IN ONE BREATH. Since "depression" was added to tho world's vocabulary two years ago it 3 hollow echo has penetrated even into Paris fashions. Many of this season's coats talk economy and chic in one breath. Fabrics themselves even have turned tho tables. You can't tell tho time of day any more by glancing at your neighbour's frock. This does not mean that Paris would clothe you iv sackcloth and ashes. Far from it. Now is the time to be your sniartest, right in the face of opposition. You may wear tailored clothes, but their severity must be softened somehow. There are hundreds of ways suggested—soft bows, scarves, or fichus of silk at the neckline, or lace or lingerie collars and cuffs, do the trick. The tailored coat-dress with dainty details is one that can emerge in the morning and return with propriotv at dusk. r l

Using straw for naekots ana accessories seems to be about the last -word

in false economy. But not so fasttins humble-looking fabric is just a synthetic product resembling straw after all. When woven into little wraps ana such to go over sports clothes, nothing could be smarter.'Ton can change your active sports dress into a spectator one in" the twinkling of an eye—just by donning the jacket TOTTJOTJBS ITECONOMIE. A few seasons ago a woman-" would have needed a good deal of courage to appear at a formal function dressed in anything else than a satin crepe or chiffon dress. And to-day they think nothing of attending a ball dressed in a cotton gown. This is what the smart Pansienne is doing this season. Charming models for evening in pique, batiste, and cotton organdie are being worn by tho ehieest of the chic aa *veU as sports costumes and all kinds of day dresses. The vogue is leading to the production of such numerous new cotton fabrics that silk manufacturers must look to their laurels if they wish silk to maintain the place Paris has held in the dressmaking world. It is surprising indeed to see .'the effects; that have been obtained with, cotton. Many of' these will be hailed with joy by women all over the world,' especially the materials which resemble woollen tweeds and at the same time being both light and «001, are admirably suited for sports costumes. The. favourite among them is the fabric which is very similar to a light homespun "Roumaspor" by name. A great quantity of these loosely-woven cotton fabrics is now in existence, and their resemblance to woollen materials is extra* ordinary. ; t . V V,^ ■ The latest thing in blouses'for sports wear is a figured material printed with a design representing your particular sport. Thus, the wearer may be accompanied by a number of miniature golfers or - tennis players. . & blouse for the racecourse created quite aVsen> sation when it was shown..by". & wellknown _ dressmaking house, covered with tiny horses ridden T>y realisticlooking jockeys. . . , • ■ FASHION HINTS. Be. women. Beautiful, mysterious, artfully, artless, alluring, even though capricious. Accept -these 'gracious laws from Paris, and this BJue- Bird will come to rest on your shoulder. " . Ovor a silver sheath.threw the cobweb of a fairybroidered chiffon frock, and deck it with.roses. r'- . ,-' Enhance the, glory of your statnesqne form with a clinging ;fjock of a nacre crepe. ' ' •• : •■ ■ ..; . , Select your evening■frpeks.of gold and cloth that scintillates like fireflies, or like, flames,; : or 'phosphorescent fish in tropic seas. : • : • ■ Of nacreous flesh make a- perfect background for your :face in deep cut gowns for day as .well as night, framed by a collar of precious lace. Shun.all that.threatens beauty. Life, when well-dressed, is joy. \ -. What with capes, trailing fluttering dress-points, curls'in: the back of the neck, ana small, shining feet, we are going to be romantic this season, as has not been possible in -so great a degree for some time past. Eyebrows must not be neglected these days. While exaggerated shaping is to be deplored, they must be eared for if they are going: to look their best under fhe new revealing hatbrims. :

Basque berets have been seen in the evening at the theatres. They are made entirely of black spangles or of velvet and are extremely chic and practical. .

Women, sophisticated women, are endeavouring to look "different." They areturning more and more to very individual. evening gowns for great occasions.